The TAS issue #198 is now hitting the shelves. Not nearly as many Audio "How-To" articles as their last issue but they did have an in depth article on Computer Audio. I got the impression from their article that they really over emphasize the point that Computer Audio is very complex and difficult to do and even harder to get god sound from it. I don't find that to be the case with my Squeezebox and iTUnes systems but I'm sure it is for anyone who is not savvy with computers and network systems.
A very interesting point they make is that Computer Audio is proving to be a very difficult area for Audio Reviewers to evaluate and compare the various components and aspects that go into a Computer Audio system. I have to agree with them that are way too many variables to make a determination of what "thing" (USB, FireWire cable, software, computer component, USB DAC, etc works and sounds better than something else.
A big part of their problem is that they are digging way too deep with computer audio and already trying to review things like computer power cords, usb cables, computer power supplies, which software sounds better. Maybe they're better off leaving these sort of reviews up to the computer geek/propeller head crowd.
A very interesting point they make is that Computer Audio is proving to be a very difficult area for Audio Reviewers to evaluate and compare the various components and aspects that go into a Computer Audio system. I have to agree with them that are way too many variables to make a determination of what "thing" (USB, FireWire cable, software, computer component, USB DAC, etc works and sounds better than something else.
A big part of their problem is that they are digging way too deep with computer audio and already trying to review things like computer power cords, usb cables, computer power supplies, which software sounds better. Maybe they're better off leaving these sort of reviews up to the computer geek/propeller head crowd.
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